Examining Titanfall 2's Time Travel Masterpiece

Introducing time travel to Titanfall 2, a game already centred on giant robots fighting each other, might seem like a bit much - it's giant robots fighting each other, is it really necessary to add time travel as well?
But Respawn Entertainment went ahead and did it anyway in Titanfall 2, creating the time traveling mission Effect and Cause - one of the most entertaining levels not just in Titanfall 2's campaign, but also in the FPS genre as a whole.
And in this video, I take a closer look at what makes Titanfall 2's Effect and Cause such an incredible experience, from its environmental storytelling and dual time zone level design to the structure of its combat encounters and the way it subtly teaches players about its amazing time travel mechanic.
If you enjoy the video, do consider subscribing and thanks for watching!
Contents:
00:00 - Intro
00:31 - A Quick Recap
01:20 - Strange Beginnings
07:12 - A Subtle Tutorial
10:10 - Now You're Thinking With Time Travel
13:38 - Close Encounters
16:21 - Time To Experiment
18:48 - Final Flourishes
20:32 - A Timeless Classic
#Titanfall2 #Titanfall #FPS

[@BenPlaysGames]

✅ Subscribe: kzbin.info 🖱 Support the channel: www.patreon.com/ben_plays_games If you enjoyed the video, I've now analysed almost all of the campaign's missions. Just hit the link to access the playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ_RnKGHoKqen9U

[@markmulder9845]

I absolutely love these vids! This level was a great one to cover. Keep up the great work mate!

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@markmulder9845 Cheers Mark! Currently working on something else Titanfall 2 related which will hopefully be out soon-ish.

[@redditersinn4737]

@@BenPlaysGames do you think the time travel should be in the multilayer.

[@Rivsterdandyshotsanta]

@@markmulder9845 eewrw

[@Mad-er6cw]

Your content is nice, and your voice feels soothing due to some reason..probabaly because you sound like you are at ease...and I missed both of the easter eggs at the start of the mission in both playthroughs

[@youtubeher026]

Effect and Cause. Also known as “that level”

[@BenPlaysGames]

It's an obscenely brilliant accomplishment, which makes it even more mind boggling the game never performed that well sales-wise. The campaign alone, although short, is one of the best I've played in a long, long time.

[@kiwisontoast]

@@BenPlaysGames it was released at a purposefully damaging time, inbetween two big releases

[@angerbird273]

@@kiwisontoast yes if titianfall was released before or after it would have a larger player base

[@emperorarkoos2919]

@@angerbird273 yep

[@emperorarkoos2919]

@@BenPlaysGames my fave mission.second fave is the assembly one.

[@Ikcatcher]

Kind of boggles my mind how Respawn spent so much time and effort of making all this just for one level

[@BenPlaysGames]

Crazy isn't it? It's such a great campaign from start to finish and nearly every level has a new, interesting twist to make it interesting, so much variety throughout.

[@justafloodofethanol3216]

All that and they wouldn’t even fix ddos attacks until it became a PR issue

[@gu3z185]

@@justafloodofethanol3216 That's because TF2 is an old game with a smaller playerbase compared to Apex Legends, which is also dying but still retains some people who pay microtransactions. I'm surprised they tried fixing the DDOS attacks at all.

[@Rachel-lq9vl]

I'm kinda glad it was for only one level though, it made it so much more memorable having it be a one off, and with the giant mechs fighting each other and the rest of it, it would have been too over done for the rest of the campagin, honestly the way they did the whole campagin was just masterful

[@am-asx1012]

I wish they make the single player longer

[@pig7320]

The fact that you can punch an enemy, dissappear, reappear and punch another one is amazing because it makes me more understand the enemy's panic knowing a guy is 1 by 1 instantly killing their whole team.

[@BenPlaysGames]

I can't imagine how afraid those soldiers must have been as a guy blinked in and out of existence around them!

[@chasetoyama8184]

@@BenPlaysGames I would have pissed my pants when my buddies die and their killer disappears and reappears. Also would have straight up ran.

[@pretzelbomb6105]

You specify punching… an enemy has just slaughtered his way through half of the building, the last messages from your compatriots ones of panic and confusion. You finally get a response mounted as he travels inhumanly fast through your security. A full complement of soldiers and the facility’s garrisoned titans at your back, you prepare to end this threat. Then, you see him. One man, emerges from the structure. A pilot by the uniform, but still one man. You open fire, knowing he can’t weather it for long, and he vanishes. You search and spread your fire, waiting for his cloak to fail. Then, you hear the sound of him decloaking. A fully-equipped titan appears in front of you.

[@PhillipAmthor]

*phases into existance* Oh shit wtf, enemy! *phases out of existance* *phases into existance* Nothing personal. Bonk! *phases out of existance* Nani!?

[@tomba3575]

@@BenPlaysGames it woulda been so cool if titan fall had a post mission spectate mode where you could see through the eyes of the enemy

[@ShinGetsu857]

I still remember staring in disbelief at the "Press Button to time travel". It's just so unexpected. I was thinking "They're letting me do WHAT ? FREELY ? At NO COST ?" It's such a bold decision from the dev and it shows their absolute confidence in their level design. You're always used in video game to have limitations to these kind of power, or maximum number of use, or whatever. And these guys just throws you a free time travel button in the middle of the mission, then pat you in the back and tells you to have fun with it. It's an incredible experience. This mission alone was worth the price tag of the game to me.

[@BenPlaysGames]

You've hit the nail on the head mate. Probably my favourite button prompt of all time!

[@Guardian-of-Light137]

Imagine a full game that has ALL of this. Mechs. The movement. And the time travel. But it's a full game. And one much longer and more polished than this (With the focus actually on the single player rather than the multiplayer)

[@VeraTheTabbynx]

@@Guardian-of-Light137 I can get what you mean by wanting it to be longer, but what do you mean "full game" and what about titanfall 2 isn't polished?

[@Guardian-of-Light137]

@@VeraTheTabbynx I mean a full game based around the swapping between 2 times mechanic but also WITH the titans and wall running and stuff. I never said titan fall 2 wasn't polished. I said MORE polished. As in made even better.

[@VeraTheTabbynx]

@@Guardian-of-Light137 Fair enough I guess.I'm kinda glad time-shifting ISN'T a theme throughout the rest of the game. By having it in just one level, it never overstays its welcome and doesn't get old or frustrating to deal with.

[@ShadowTheSanta]

I'm so used to speeding through these levels it's really wierd seeing someone just walking around

[@BenPlaysGames]

Have to give myself enough time in the footage to say everything I need to say 😂

[@smitoplaysgames]

17:38 i don't think i've ever used that control panel to get across

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@smitoplaysgames Yeh that may just be my lack of imagination haha.

[@toastedpineapples3824]

ye Ik its just for the camera pans mostly but its kinda frustrating to see the guy touch the ground at all while not b hopping.

[@TSGcombat]

@@BenPlaysGames I didn't even notice a lot of shortcuts when playing that level

[@MrSandman3355]

I bet the hardest part of this video was playing the level slowly enough to get enough footage. So much fun.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Haha yep, just needed to get enough well-timed footage to give me enough time to chatter away!

[@AdamNeisler]

@@BenPlaysGames Well you really did a good job on this video. Top quality content.

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@AdamNeisler Cheers Adam mate, really appreciate that!

[@Labu2312]

@@BenPlaysGames yes, that level almost instinctively tells you to kill everyone in the fastest and most creative ways you can think of, in my case I love to do back kills or in some cases kill all the npc except 1 to torture him teleporting behind him so he doesn't detect me and then detect me again like this for 10 minutes

[@vak.o]

Honestly, the time travel here was 10x more interesting than Endgame’s time travel, because this mechanic actually had rules and paradoxes. The Grandfather paradox was so well shown here, it was amazing when you realized that you were the reason for the destruction of an entire advanced research facility because you wanted to know what caused the destruction of this same massive research facility, Grandfather paradox at its finest! Genius, Respawn Entertainment is a studio of geniuses!

[@cagasbura420]

yes! this is a predestination or harry potter kind of time travel, the one that removes causation but also paradoxes, a.k.a. the best one imo.

[@Andrew30645]

@@cagasbura420 That moment when you realise there are no logic holes, it's complex but it all makes sense... Brilliant.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Agreed, it's absolute genius! Respawn have always been so good at doing new things in the genre even back in the days when West and Zampella worked on Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.

[@mauz791]

This and Dishonored 2 created such art, it's perfect

[@snazzyjovialwyrm3314]

@@cagasbura420 But the OP just explained what kind of paradox was being displayed in Effect and Cause. There's also Anderson's death, though we can assume that his death was after he ported back to the present, possibly when he ported inside the floor/ceiling where we find him, so he still technically died in the present even though what caused his death also occurred in the past. A strange anomaly, but not one that Time and Space felt the need to correct since there were no actual paradoxes going on. Must have also been very painful for both Anderson and that IMC soldier when they collided as he ported back to the present. My only question is, how is the device functioning fine after it was damaged during Anderson's encounter with that IMC soldier? Was the damage to it temporary and it needed some time to "recalibrate" itself?

[@connortollit6120]

“BT I found Anderson... he’s in the ceiling”

[@BenPlaysGames]

😂 I love that line, so casual.

[@connortollit6120]

@@BenPlaysGames titanfall 2 has some pretty iconic quotes, I’ve played the campaign to many times to count and I’ll always pick the “I think someone’s in love” line.😂

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@connortollit6120 The dialogue between Cooper and BT was a real stand out for me. The story as a whole isn't the most original, but the way their relationship develops adds a lot.

[@crasyperson123]

@@connortollit6120 "Conclusion: I am 50% in love"

[@PhillipAmthor]

W-what are you doing steppilot?

[@Calais-dn5bl]

My head cannon as to why it’s called “Effect and Cause” rather than the other way around, is that we live in the Effect rather than the Cause and we travel to the Cause to find what initiated the effect

[@BenPlaysGames]

You're exactly right Calais! It's a paradox for sure, but the best kind.

[@kroposman2302]

Only to end up becoming the Cause of the Effect. What was, shall be. What shall be, was.

[@NobodyM.D]

I can only imagine how terrified the grunts were to see Jack cooper phasing in and out of reality getting slowly closer and closer, only to dissapear and reappear right behind them and break their neck. Then the horrified reaction to seeing that happen to a friend could send someone into shock like when the grunts surrender when seeing a titan.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Agreed mate, it would have been blooming terrifying!

[@benjaminnicholas5527]

@Bokilebro that makes it more terrifying for the enemies than because to them you are instantaneously teleporting and they have no chance to react and can only look on in fear as some pilot terminates their friends with speed like no other

[@thesaltyanarchist]

dude I legit cried when BT "died" the first time and because of that when they gave me the Smart Pistol I automatically hit all my shot so it was almost as if I was raging out at the Preds and the IMC. Idk, I just feel like Respawn did a REALLY good job creating this story and introducing this at just the right moments.

[@BenPlaysGames]

I love the smart pistol section, so ridiculously memorable!

[@RonAuiscool]

I want a whole series of videos explaining why the campaign levels of Titanfall are so great.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Definitely going to cover one or two more, or do a round up of the campaign as a whole some time soon - it's too good to only do one video on!

[@idrinkdiesel8451]

The Act Man did one, you should check it out

[@arandomsystemglitch2398]

Yeah sad that people that will never play a campaign on a game will never see sights like this

[@jeb123]

@@arandomsystemglitch2398 Yeah, i couldn't make my cousin play this, makes me sad.

[@Legion849]

@@arandomsystemglitch2398 Time travel, time skip yeah Price Of Pesia trilogy is exactly that.

[@GaIaxysWitch]

"And introduces the idea of Cooper being thrown into his destinations in the future. Something which definitely comes up again once or twice." ...definitely twice. sob.

[@BenPlaysGames]

😰 Poor BT.

[@Digspig]

Isn’t it thrice? I don’t know. Can’t quite tell through the tears.

[@PeachDragon_]

@@Digspig 4 times total

[@Digspig]

@@PeachDragon_ At the satellite dish, between the ships, away from the Ark at the end, and...? I can't remember what the last one was.

[@PeachDragon_]

@@Digspig the first one between platforms, then the second at the satellite dish, then the ships, then out of the ark. And also a catch if you wanna count that lmao.

[@informationjunkie]

I loved how triggering the stalkers in the past awakened them in the present. Like they remembered you and still considered you a threat.

[@BenPlaysGames]

That's a very cool idea, I hadn't thought of it like that!

[@davidgerrard6613]

The way the human AI responds (i.e: poos themself) to seeing you appear right in front or behind them is really nice too.

[@BenPlaysGames]

😂 IMC soldiers absolutely rattled.

[@Roach_Dogg_JR]

I would rather fight an army of humans than a few prowlers, they scared me so much I dreaded shifting back to the present during this level.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Whenever I'd shift during a fight, they'd always manage to be right in my face to make me jump out my seat!

[@eduardoalbornoz2718]

i was thinking about this in the first time ive played,but after the first sentry turrets i came to the present a killed one with 1 single shot of a mastiff they werent so deadly after all

[@neptune3038]

they scared me because there so loud lol

[@DarrenCurtisII]

They are WOLVES, Hybrid Wolves. Half Tiger and Half Dire Wolf. The agility of Tigers and the ability to climb with the power of a roar. As the other half, they are mentally thinking and look exactly as a Dire Wolf with a pair of nosals to be able to smell your fear. No, really. It's possible to smell fear. When humans or mammals or any other prey they hunt. We all produce an odor when any of us are afaird. It's odorless to marjority to dogs and cats of all breeds to pet to the wild. But if there was a creature that had extra acute senses, this creature can smell your fear, your weakness, your smell good powerless pery odor for easy food. I hope this helps to understand why it is okay and good to be afarid and proven to them, even in fear, You faced death and that didn't even stop you achieveing your goals. The deves even gave us an extra closer look at the Prowler Skull in Apex Legends. On the R-301 Carbine Skin called Honored Prey or Trophy Collector, They attach a Prowler Skull to the Carbine Rilfe.

[@RichardVSmall]

You definitely need to play Metro 2033 and its sequels...

[@acoldite2035]

I'm an apex player who played through titanfall 2 for the lore. When I completed this level I simply couldn't believe something this good could exist which I wouldn't have heard of. For days on end I was telling my friends about this level and no one would listen to me. I'm happy that I'm not the only one who's in love with this level and there's actually a cult following behind it.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Good work on going back to play it mate, that's some real dedication to the lore! And yeh, lots of Titanfall 2 fans out in the wild, campaign's incredible from start to finish so the more who play it, the better.

[@acoldite2035]

@@BenPlaysGames the movement was unmatched, if i had friends who played tf2 i think i would have just switched to tf2 multiplayer instead of apex

[@friedmiracle9960]

@@acoldite2035 facts bro, the movement is insane. When i finished the campaign and went back to apex i found myself trying to wall run and shit🤦🏽‍♂️💀

[@drafty9580]

@@friedmiracle9960 lol the reverse is true for myself and my buddy. We tried Apex because we wanted more tf1 and 2, and while it was fun to an extent it just wasn't as good (totally different so it makes sense).

[@HaggisDruid]

@@acoldite2035 When Apex came out, I heard a lot of people saying it handled like the best fps they had played. I agreed that Apex had great movement, but I urged them to try Titanfall 2 as having played that first, Apex did not impress. Now, it makes sense for the battle royale scenario, and having wall running really changes how you develop the environment, I fully get why Apex handles differently and I don't exactly think it should handle just like Titanfall 2. They're different games entirely, but man, it's hard to play a lot of fps games after playing Titanfall 2 and experiencing such a fluid movement system. Apex has some of that movement left in it's blood, which is why I think it stands above any other first person battle royale.

[@ThatBeePerson]

Titanfall does one thing i love masterfully, it lets you get inside the minds of the grunts and other enemies and think just how terrifying the player is from their perspective, from grunts giving up if you stare at them with a titan, to their voice lines of panic trying to figure out where you disappeared to an where you'll come back next, i love it all.

[@oivatank]

What I love most is that this mission makes you feel like a badass. You’re just this single anomalous dude who’s seemingly teleporting everywhere and slaughtering everything in your path, meanwhile everyone is confused and panicking while attempting (and failing) to use everything at their disposal to stop you.

[@ryduann]

this is by FAR the absolute single best shooter level i've ever played

[@BenPlaysGames]

It's an amazing experience! I'd go so far as to say that Titanfall 2 as a whole is the best 'CoD style' campaign on the market at this time, nothing else in the sub-genre comes close to it honestly.

[@GeelsProduction]

When I first did that mission I didn't realize we were actually time travelling until that general said "yes pilot may I help you". I thought these were visions or something. I stood there for a good minute in awe!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Me too Liam, one of my favourite touches not just in Titanfall 2, but in any game.

[@cube9862]

This mission has such great level design. Also reminds me of Portal Reloaded which released a few days ago

[@czalon]

Which is a good connection, as portal reloaded also deals with cause and effect

[@BenPlaysGames]

Agreed, it's amazing. Funny you should mention Portal Reloaded too, just started playing it!

[@hexedcrab]

I always thought it would have been cool if when you were involuntarily put in the past before you have the device that you would come across major anderson

[@BenPlaysGames]

I'd love that! It would have added a little more weight to his death too, since I believe the only time you see Anderson in person is when he walks past you and Lastimosa right as the attack on typhon is about to begin.

[@bottom523]

Trying to do a smooth and cinematic camera movement. 2:15 *trips*

[@BenPlaysGames]

😂 😂😂

[@donthurtmyfeelingsplz]

I was in 5th grade when I got Half Life on a CD ROM and it changed my life. Titanfall 2s campaign got me as close to that feeling as I've ever experienced. There's some specific feeling of depth and awe these two games share, I can't describe it.

[@BenPlaysGames]

I think it's the way the both games are so well-designed around their core mechanics. The rest of the game is in service to those, rather than them being afterthoughts.

[@memoryfoam2285]

Good design, writing, and the Holy Source Engine.

[@PeachDragon_]

Tf2's campaign made me feel like halo CE did as a child

[@PhillipAmthor]

Theyre simply not only shooting games but rather story telling games. Most shooters are mindless shooting but some let you think about physics and capabilities of actions

[@snazzyjovialwyrm3314]

@@memoryfoam2285 Half Life 1 was on the GoldSource Engine, which is a lot different compared to Source 1.

[@ironcladguildhand9321]

I have to say that Dishonoured 2's own single-level-time-travel mechanic really matches this one. Both of them are *fabulous*

[@BenPlaysGames]

A Crack In the Slab! Covering it soon mate, love all of the Arkane's games to death.

[@sup_bro9902]

This man really didn’t time travel behind every single grunt and execute them

[@BenPlaysGames]

Lack of talent on my part 😂

[@mrgnumm4078]

I'm so used to just flying through the first part of the level it's so weird seeing someone just walk through it.

[@BenPlaysGames]

That is how I normally play the game but it didn't give me enough time to say everything I needed 🙈

[@KkAngel85]

Yeeeeeerrrrrrr boooooooyyyyyyyzzz speerrredruuunning wooooohoooooooooo 10/10

[@qstn-mk.1403]

fun fact: Every now and then, each developer in Respawn Entertainment is assigned with designing a concept for a level and showing a small demo of it. if they don't like the idea, it's scrapped. if they like it however, they design a level based around the idea. there is always a feature that is exclusive to that level, for example, The Beacon had the Arc Tool, Blood and Rust had the corrosive liquid, and the final level (forgot name) had the smart pistol. All of the features i mentioned about these levels are exclusive to these levels and are not featured in any other level in the Campaign.

[@TurokRevolution]

I love the fact that this video, up to this point (9th of May) has zero dislikes! "Into the Abyss" and "Effect and Cause" are the best missions in the entire game, kinda weird that they already show up so early in the campaign.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Not anymore haha, two people ruined it all! For me everything from the abyss onwards is fantastic. I love The Beacon too, really, really entertaining level that one.

[@ParkingCars]

Into the abyss is the building level right? If so it has to be my favorite for movement. I played it a little bit after I had just learned bhopping and was able to speed through the level. Effect and cause is the best for story and combat but Enter the Abyss is the best movement.

[@luoxis]

@@ParkingCars it's the factory kinda level

[@ParkingCars]

@@luoxis Ok yeah. Worst part of my master playthrough. The specters are so annoying. I usually use two electric smokes and hack two to prepare for the next fight.

[@wta1518]

Roughly 213 now for anyone without returnyoutubedislike.

[@goldenmine1494]

BT transferring some of his AI to your helmet is the reason he survives what happened at the end of the campaign and flashes the lights on your helmet in the post credits scene

[@BenPlaysGames]

This is a great spot, I didn't make that connection!

[@snazzyjovialwyrm3314]

I hadn't even realized that. So technically speaking, they could technically rebuild BT's AI off of the bit he had transferred to Lastimosa's helmet.

[@wcookiv]

There are other moments that also set up that reveal, even if it's been too long for me to remember them off hand, but yeah this is another example of Respawn's great foreshadowing.

[@andrewshepherd1537]

Yup, so whether Cooper realizes it or not, BT is still there. They made it an interesting set up for future games. Hopefully with more time jumping badassery in it

[@phazejump3204]

Oh god you actually mentioned the detail about the Marder's audio log, I am happy. So many people miss this one and it is just sooooo cool for me that I wish more people knew about it.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Possibly my favourite small touch in the level, it's a really clever idea.

[@DishonoredSkull]

"A crack in the Slabs" from Dishonored 2 reminds me a lot of this mission from Titian fall 2. I had recently played Dishonored 2 to get all the achievements. I've played the game 5 times now and in my latest playthrough I tried something in a a crack in the slabs. *Spoiler warning* I had no clue you should save Stilton. I tried during my no powers run. I attempted this as in the start of the mission, I believe the outsider or your player, mentions "it would be a shame for Stilton to not show", I questioned this, knocked him out in the past and went into the future. Everything changed. The once dilapidated runes of his old home were being rebuilt by workers. I was slightly scared and very excited seeing this path I've never seen before even after 5 playthroughs.

[@BenPlaysGames]

I love the Dishonored series (and honestly, basically everything Arkane puts out) and A Crack In The Slab is one of my favourites. There may also be a video on it not too far away 😉

[@DishonoredSkull]

@@BenPlaysGames Love to hear, just beat DOTO like 10 minutes ago. Kinda wish the outsiders faith had more to it, only lasts a few minutes and its kinda bare. Anyway, looking forward to that video then.

[@snazzyjovialwyrm3314]

@@BenPlaysGames I really should get Dishonored 2 at some point, and finish Dishonored 1 at that. Gotta finish Prey 2017 as well. haha

[@tartipouss]

I’ve tryed doing a pacifist run where I didn’t shot or punch a single thing but it didn’t change anything sadly, it would have been funny if it resulted in the mission being different and unfinishable in some way

[@BenPlaysGames]

That would have been awesome, I'm actually going to try going through the level like that myself today!

[@TheFirstCurse1]

The "No point in staying quiet now" and Cooper walking around with his gun pointed downwards in both past and present would've made this level a masterpiece. The fact that those are the only 2 problems show just how close this level is to perfection.

[@twistergames6409]

i wish more people had seen this review, i absolutely love well written reviews like this, they give me goosebumps

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers Twister! It's been my most successful video in terms of views, so glad people are enjoying it!

[@resolutecub9977]

Great game. Hope they do make a Titanfall 3, even if it is just campaign. This level always reminds me of Dishonored 2

[@BenPlaysGames]

Funnily enough, I've just covered Dishonored 2's A Crack In The Slab, brilliant mission!

[@wta1518]

Unfortunately it uses the Source Engine, and if it even remotely related to Valve, everyone forgets how to count to 2 episode 1.

[@hotglazydonut5233]

It was always fun to explore the level and seeing what was different between the past and present.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Agreed mate, awesome level from start to finish.

[@jack.h99]

My favorite level in pretty much any game I've played recently. It would be cool to see this mechanic fleshed out into a full game. It's got a unique way to unravel a story that directly involves the player. And honestly it's got the same kind of potential as Portal as far as puzzle solving and platforming goes.

[@BenPlaysGames]

It's awesome, isn't it? If you enjoy the time travel aspect, I highly recommend the Dishonored 2 mission I've just covered on the channel. It was also released in 2016 and is also very good.

[@maxducks2001]

7:05 I love how the devs had already defined their units of measurement, created the scene, and probably adjusted the script to fit with the exact distance to the module from BT’s location.

[@torb-no]

I tried Titanfall 2 some years ago but gave up early. Seeing that you'd made a video about it made me give it another chance. It would have been worth it alone to give context to your video, but the game ended up being much better than I thought.

[@BenPlaysGames]

I love Titanfall 2's campaign - it's short, but as they say, good things come in small packages. Really glad my video convinced you to give it another go!

[@torb-no]

@@BenPlaysGames Short is *good* in my book. Many games are too long in my opinion. The assumption that games ought to be long feels like the game world is in it's own Citizin Kane era of game length. For more content I'd prefer shorter games but more of them (or maybe several shorter campaigns within the same game?).

[@BenPlaysGames]

@@torb-no Titanfall 2's length is definitely one of the reasons I love it so much. It's incredibly engaging from start to finish and there's not really any filler content in it whatsoever. I also completely agree with your comment that many games are too long. I've been playing Spiderman Remastered recently and it's a superb game, but I feel like it's been going forever and I reckon I've still got a good way to go yet before I finish it. Alien Isolation is another example that springs to mind, there was no need for that to be 15 hours long.

[@musicguy9724]

Why did you give up?

[@torb-no]

@@musicguy9724 It's many years ago now, but I basically ended up very frustrated on the factory level I think? I also played it on PC with mouse and keyboard and for some reason I jived better playing on console with controller.

[@definatehuman2967]

The ending of titanfall 2 nearly had me in tears from the event

[@BenPlaysGames]

Me too Definate! Post-credits scene makes things a little better at least...

[@scottgrey3337]

There's something really satisfying to realize that not only did the level feature amazing environmental storytelling, but that you were *the* cause of everything you were experiencing. Environmental storytelling can be pretty great, but by nature it's meant to convey that something happened when you weren't around. Getting to go from "what happened here?" to "I'm what happened" is incredible

[@C4MG1RL]

"Leaving little room you'll miss it" This is Titanfall, I speeded my way through this so fast that the first few rooms are a literal blur in my memory. I definitely missed those lol.

[@BenPlaysGames]

I have to walk very, very slowly most of the time to give myself enough time to say what I need to 😂

[@ifanthomas5367]

You've managed to make a great vid and reply to almost all comments, respect

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers Ifan - I figure if people are kind enough to give up their time to watch them, least I can do is respond to any comments!

[@craggnarock7951]

yeah when i played though my first time i kind of missed the idea you should kill the past people, i quite literally didn't even damage one, just blinked out and walked away, with the movement mechanics it was easy to avoid being hit too, it would make the audio logs about slaughtering be confusing as i didn't kill a single soul

[@BenPlaysGames]

Good point mate, that's actually something I never thought of at all!

[@macrussell78]

The fact that Titanfall 2 to this day receive praise warms my fucking heart.

[@Bone_Incidents]

This is one of the best uses of time travel in media ever. The fact that if you kill the robots in the past, they don’t show up in the future is so fucking golden. I also like the small detail that the enemy mistakes your time travel for cloaking abilities because you keep appearing and disappearing.

[@Enderplays12]

"I think they could have built an entire game on this mechanic alone"-16:17 There was a very old game, called Time Shift, who played with time paralysis and reversal, and it was bloody awesome for the time. I'm still waiting for a spiritual successor or a remake.

[@BenPlaysGames]

I've been meaning to play Timeshift for donkeys! One day I'll find the time Tortoise, one day...

[@dsagent]

The shotgun is SO good in this mission. You essentially have a teleport function. It one shots most enemies.

[@fredrickvontater5433]

I still have yet to find a level in any shooter that tops this, there are some that I am much more nostalgic for, but I have to admit, this just beats it.

[@alexlowe2054]

Regarding the audio logs, I remember a developer interview where they mentioned they specifically added the audio logs to emphasize the fact that you could influence past events. Yes, they added an entirely extra feature only used on one level just to execute the "Yes Pilot, can I help you" joke at 3:46. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a reliable source. Can someone help me find some evidence?

[@BenPlaysGames]

I can't help with on the source side of things, but I think it's only General Marder's audio log near the start that proves time can be changed? I think the others are the same regardless of any players actions.

[@alexlowe2054]

@@BenPlaysGames I guess once you've already designed an entire mechanic just for a single joke, it makes sense to scatter the audio logs around the rest of the level. It does raise some other questions though, like why have the unrelated story in the audio logs instead of more time travel shenanigans. Maybe they put the audio logs in to emphasize how different each level was? There are lots of environmental story telling moments in this level, and not many in the other levels, so maybe that was part of the theme for the level. Or maybe I'm just devolving into wild speculation.

[@jacobmahnke9666]

If anyone wants to know, Dishonored 2 (which came out a month after Titanfall 2) has a level with this exact mechanic in it. They are both really fun!

[@BenPlaysGames]

As it happens Jacob, I actually have a fairly detailed analysis on that up on the channel too mate - love A Crack In The Slab!

[@NateJGardner]

It was such an incredibly fun, immersive, and beautiful mission to play. There was so much story to enjoy. There were so many surprise attacks in both timelines. I loved it and found myself always on my toes, constantly curious what's in the other timeline too.

[@Yuuzer_]

Such a technical marvel that's utilized JUST for this mission. Amazing game

[@BenPlaysGames]

Agreed mate - for me, it's one of the best FPS campaigns ever made.

[@zionrios2205]

This is an amazing feature but I'm glad they didn't make a whole game out of it, I love how each level in Titanfall 2 has its own unique gimmick and I feel like the fact that they keep the gimmicks to their respective levels gave the developers more opportunity to perfect each gimmick and their levels which is one of the reasons why Titanfalls campaign is so awesome

[@nnconcerts99]

Ok well I kinda just speedran the level because when u time shift theres a split second where enemies wont attack you because they are reacting so I just ran through all the stalkers prowlers and grunts while spamming lb and wallrunning but even though I went pacifist this level was still fun as hell

[@BenPlaysGames]

In retrospect, this is the one thing I would have liked to have spoken more about in the video. You can definitely get through it without causing much, if any, chaos at all.

[@snazzyjovialwyrm3314]

@@BenPlaysGames If only the game also took note of you not killing anyone at all, but I guess the idea never occurred to Respawn that some people would try to play through the entire level without killing anyone.

[@filiasnox1116]

a multiplayer game based on this level can be very fun

[@BenPlaysGames]

That would be awesome! Hard to develop I'd guess, but awesome.

[@happyboy6548]

Imagine if you kill the future version of your enemy But his past version still lives and if it shoots and kill you the future version dosen't die :o

[@filiasnox1116]

@@happyboy6548 that would be a Little complicated but modify the arena in the past to create new dangers in the present, could be more simple to manage

[@happyboy6548]

@@filiasnox1116 yeah but it could be like having 2 lives in each game imagine if the past version is killed the future one dies but if the future one dies the past one doesn't die and can make a another future version and the map has to have breakable things that can change the future or the past if that's posible ?

[@epicman.2858]

The guards reaction where perfect! They reacting like anyone would if you saw someone dissappear then reappear before punching your mate to death disappearing before reappearing behind you and shooting your head open. Man this level really makes you feel like a god.

[@Spectre-907]

You mentioned that the mic fires early, causing the time distortions that you use to go back in time (causing the malfunction), *the whole reason the militia found typhoon in the first place* was because they detected the energy distortions caused by the malfunction you cause investigating it. There’s a whole extra layer of stable time loop here.

[@HarveyGuitarBoy]

I've heard a lot about this mission but have never had the time to play Titanfall, really awesome breakdown of an incredible mission by the look of it, I think I may just have to make some time for myself!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers Harvey mate! And honestly, the whole campaign is pretty amazing from start to finish and can be completed in 4-6 hours. I'd really recommend giving it a go if you have the chance, makes for a great afternoon.

[@Kurokami112]

1:52 "...leaving almost 0 possibility you don't notice it Me, who didn't notice it even after 3 playthroughts:

[@BenPlaysGames]

A few people have said this, perhaps I overexagerated a tad haha!

[@KidIkarus]

I only just recently picked up and played thru Titanfall 2 maybe a month or so ago, and I couldn’t agree more about everything you had to say. I was blown away not only by the general gameplay mechanics and story to begin with, but absolutely floored by this whole entire sequence when I came to it in the story. I’m on my 3rd play through at the moment and each time I find something new to fall in love with. This is easily one of my favorite games in my library now, and well deserving of all its massive praise ❤️

[@BenPlaysGames]

Glad you enjoyed it mate! I know it's a big claim, but I honestly, truly believe it to be one of the best FPS campaigns ever made. It's so utterly brilliant from start to finish. Also, I may have a video coming in the next day or so which talks more about why I think it's so amazing 😉

[@KidIkarus]

@@BenPlaysGames I agree with you wholeheartedly, I’m sort of bummed I was such a latecomer to the game, but enjoying it nonetheless!

[@McBuff]

Love this level. I always use it very theatrically, clearing the present zones of all enemies and spending the rest of my time in that zone swapping between times to execute every single human enemy. Go to the present, get behind a guy, go to the past, execute him, wait for his buddies to turn to me, repeat with another guy until all are dead. I can only imagine the fear and the panicked radio calls as they all watch a single madman teleport-slaughter them all. Hands down the best level in the game. I have an absolute ton of fun every time I go through it.

[@grandmasteryoda5981]

11:02 this is actually remembered by the later on and at the end of the game when bt uses morse code on Jack's helmet it is because of that one line

[@BenPlaysGames]

It is! I actually mention that in my video on the final mission - it's a line that doesn't seem that important at the time, but ends up being integral to the story!

[@The-Okami-Project]

Reminds me very much of a similar if slightly less interesting level in dishonored 2. Though the mechanic doesn't pause the other time. It continues and your device acts as a looking glass(literally) into the past/present to help navigate. With the present changing entirely once you finish your objective. Its good stuff you should also look at.

[@BenPlaysGames]

A Crack In The Slab! One of my favourites (I'm a huge Arkane fan in general) which I'll definitely be covered within the next 2-3 videos.

[@TheCosmicTiger]

The fact that this one mission alone is better than 90% of other time based games out there is insane

[@donjoel6754]

Great to finally meet a Titan Fall 2 fan. I've played and bested this game 3 times now. It never gets old.

[@BenPlaysGames]

So bloody good, isn't it?

[@godminnette2]

I just played this. The lecturer saying "can I help you, pilot?" blew me away. I was like, what? Was he talking to me? Others can see me in the past? I just wanted to hear his lecture and get closer. Then I figured "oh, well, I'll hear what he was going to say on this recording." Then I played it and it included the interruption, and my mind was blown. I just sat there for a few moments, realizing that there weren't separate timelines or anything: there was a clear effect from the past to the present. I killed very few soldiers in this mission before joining up with BT. Maybe two? Basically each time one saw me, I shifted back to the safety of the present. It felt wild, the fact that there was basically no consequences to me just dipping entirely out of a fight. I didn't listen to that audio log, but considering that I only killed one soldier in the elevator lobby, then slid past a group of them into the elevator to continue on, it would have been a strange one for sure. But I loved this mission for the detail in the time travel mechanics, especially as it essentially let me use espionage and stealth instead of just mindlessly killing mercenaries.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks for watching mate! I plan to do a larger round up of the entire campaign and your second point is one I definitely plan to include as well.

[@godminnette2]

@@BenPlaysGames Oh cool! I was a little disappointed that in The Ark, you and the other soldiers have to kill all the IMC forces. I stealthed past basically all of them and got to the control point, then ended up shooting all the IMC soldiers from up high because the other militiamen needed to join me. I think allowing a player to use hacking and stealth while out of a Titan would be excellent in TF3. Maybe it's just the Sombra player in me, though. Part of me wants to wall run and slide past all the enemies with bursts of speed, go invisible for short stretches where there's too many enemies, and hack doors closed behind me to be able to complete objectives without killing. Though I guess we kill all the soldiers anyways when blowing up the Ark.

[@romanfesas9721]

dude this video is great. Titanfall 2 is in my opinion the best fps of the past decade and this was obviously my favorite mission. After watching through the entire video I was thinking about how good your narration and storytelling was and I expected you to have well over 100k subs with this level of quality. For such a small channel this video was above and beyond. Much luck with your channel for years to come! :)

[@BenPlaysGames]

This is super kind of you Roman. It made my day to the extent I actually read your comment to my girlfriend as I was so chuffed! Cheers for the support and the kind words mate, it's much appreciated.

[@romanfesas9721]

@@BenPlaysGames lol for sure :D

[@IsfetSolaris]

This level is, in my opinion, the greatest level in gaming history. From the best time travel mechanic I've ever seen, combined fluidly with titanfall 2's genre-defining movement system, to one of the most cinematic and visually stunning endings in the industry with the time freeze, it is just perfect.

[@changedlater7707]

This may be one of the most underrated games of all time… always dealing with people saying this game was bad when they never even played it before

[@dolphinpower1107]

Ok well I'm just gonna say it UNDERATED VIDEO great level analysis I just played the TF2 story for the first time and it was damn fantastic.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks Dolphin mate! And agree completely, the whole campaign is super entertaining from start to finish.

[@AvieRaptor]

I thought this was so cool the first time I played it and really sold me on wanting more Titanfall singleplayer / story content, being surprised like this is a rare sighting in modern FPS games and I really just wanted more of it.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Titanfall 3 one day, here's hoping!

[@Sbudez]

Absolutely fantastic video. I loved that mission when i played it myself but i did never hear any of the audio logs nor did i really fight to much, i just went through it as fast as possible. You really highlighted the details that i and probably many others missed. Makes me appreciate effect and cause more than i already did. Thank you. edit: Also makes me think how much effort they put into creating such a masterful level that that many players will just miss.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers Sbudez and no problem at all! Also, that's sort of why I made the video - anyone who likes shooters at all should really give Titanfall 2 a try.

[@NaughtyShepherd]

I’m a year late… this just came up in my feed, and I have to say this is an excellent video with a very well scripted narration on the level design and story. Great work sir! 👏🏼🤜🏼🤛🏼

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks Shepherd, much appreciated!

[@arcshadowstorm]

When I went through the part where I would fight the titans, I would use the time travel to chain rodeo them in the past and land and set up the next jump in the present.

[@vincesommer2195]

Really good video, I love seeing someone appreciate the game that much.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers Vince, appreciate that!

[@alexmartinez5859]

This entire game really had some of the best level design of the 2010s. Effect and Cause just happened to be the best jewel in the treasure chest of Titanfall 2. It’s a damn shame EA keeps Respawn from sinking more money and resources into another sequel. As much as I loved Jedi Fallen Order (haven’t played Apex, never will), I kinda wanted Titanfall 3, or at least the servers of 2 to be fixed, before we got Survivor.

[@gommyboi380]

I literally just realized that when bt says that he put some of his ai in coopers helmet for communication, is the reason why he is able to communicate in the post credits scene.

[@BenPlaysGames]

Yep! In the final scene of the game, Cooper's helmet even flashes a message in Morse code, presumably from BT, which reads: "Jack?"

[@speckle5474]

instantly clicked for the steins gate background no cap

[@BenPlaysGames]

Nice, you're only the second person to notice that mate!

[@josephhughes3490]

I do thoroughly enjoy the titanfall series. However I only played the campaign once and honestly thought it was kind of forgettable. That said, I do remember that level very well and do believe it is a masterpiece. I think the fact that it was only one level only served to heighten the enjoyment of the experience. It makes me want to replay it...I just haven’t

[@BenPlaysGames]

I'm a huge fan personally, but it is very CoD like to a certain degree, so could also see how it could blur together with the rest of them! Completely agree re using the mechanic for one mission too, massively adds to its impact.

[@3xtan327]

The problem with titanfall 2 campaign was it’s length, the game doesn’t really start separating itself from a generic cod copy up until midway through the game and just as you’re starting to get invested it’s over

[@Rakushi_Snea]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSS!!!! A video essay on my favorite video game level to this dayyyy!!! I'VE FINALLY FOUND IT!!!!!

[@BenPlaysGames]

Cheers for watching Rakushi mate, hope you enjoyed it!

[@snazzyjovialwyrm3314]

This was quite possibly one of my all time favorite levels in the game. The fact that they actually implemented a use for the time travelling feature beyond just parkour and puzzles, and that they no longer hold your hand once you've gotten the device, since you've already been shown how the time traveling, or in the case of multiplayer, phase shift feature works prior to getting the device. It overall made for some epic moments. It also took me time to realize that they were talking about Cooper when referring to the "intruder", and I just laughed at the thought that they didn't think to realize that some crazy time travel nonsense was going on when they were literally working with an ancient device that involves manipulating time and space. I also laughed at the thought that the whole time Anderson may have thought HE was the intruder they were talking about when it was us the whole time. lol

[@BenPlaysGames]

So good, isn't it mate? Everything is woven together so, so perfectly.

[@urlauber2884]

There is a part in Respawns GDC Talk where they talk about how they got the idea for Time travel and some other cool stuff

[@BenPlaysGames]

I actually watched that video just a day or two ago, really interesting stuff. I wish more developer put out content talking about the design process as I find it so interesting.

[@urlauber2884]

@@BenPlaysGames I actually love that there are so many people sharing their work in the Games Industry and there is so much interesting stuff out there not just GDC.

[@mac_booooy]

@@BenPlaysGames so many i stop here

[@ddff5324]

NEEDS MORE VIEWS

[@BenPlaysGames]

Thanks Dd mate, appreciate that!

[@satyanarayangoswami823]

I played Titanfall 2 a long time after its release and quickly became one of favourites. This mission is one of the most unique ones I have ever played. The name completely justifies what the mission is about. Kudos to respawn for developing such a lovely game.

[@Tastingo117]

This time travel mechanic has probably been the best implementation of the phenomenon I have ever seen in video gaming. You feel like an absolute super soldier using advanced technology to outmaneuver your enemies. absolute masterpiece.

[@prezzie1]

Thank you for this video. Titanfall 2 is and always will be my all time favourite game. Nothing in all my years of gaming has even come close for me. The connection with BT is amazing i don't mind saying i cried the first few times i played it at a certain part. (No spoiler) it's a shame what has had to this IP with all the DDOS attacks but it wall always hold top spot in my heart. Thank you again for this video

[@BenPlaysGames]

No worries Adam mate, cheers for taking the time to check it out! And agree, huge shame what's happening at the moment.

[@Javlin95]

Ben : You can time travel to take down enemies of present and past. Me, the pacifist who used time travel to evade influencing the past : You what.

[@BenPlaysGames]

This is something a couple of people have mentioned, good shout mate! I think if I could go back and do the video again, the option to do pacifist runs is the one thing I'd definitely add in.

[@Javlin95]

@@BenPlaysGames I was honestly surprised that your first intention was using the time warp offensively instead of evasively. It is rare when a shooter offers a way to think outside a box. And when I saw the guards who were not in the present as corpses, my first thought actually was to NOT tamper with the past. :D

[@aKa-_-George]

Personally, I loved that you could see the blue dots representing enemy locations in different timelines because that's how I would picture it if I was on the pilot's shoes. Having to keep a mental note of everyone's location in a videogame could be tiring but having a visual representation of the main character's memory is so much better and nudges you to be this time traveling beast picking enemies one by one and seeing them get scared when you bleep back into their timeline just to literally punch their face in and disappear again.

[@eragonawesome]

I really feel like the way the story ramped up with your skill level was a great feeling. I don't know what genius came up with that, but it made that part of the game feel so immersive as you finished learning and got to just apply and hone your skills while experiencing deeply compelling story

[@harmlesstherobot7181]

Strange how you don’t have more subs, considering you’re popping up on my feed often, and you make good vids. Wouldn’t hurt to help...

[@BenPlaysGames]

It's growing slowly but surely so can't complain! Cheers for the support too mate, my first avian subscriber I believe...

[@copycuri4880]

I enjoyed this. Here's a subscription well earned.

[@BenPlaysGames]

For a really stupid person, that's a very wise decision!

[@benballester8603]

loved the video-we kinda glossed over the incredible platforming in the frozen section, and the realization that the explosions and action in front of you weren't a frozen image, but an interactible mini-level

[@calderarecords]

Love this game to pieces. The way you & BT become really intimate through risks gives the game soul, & the way you can choose dialogue? Always wins me over. The ending genuinely makes me sad. This is a Flawless game that I have played to get me through some of the most depressing times of my life. "50% in love".

[@discojoe3]

Blend. My friend. He's my friend and he's my friend and he's everybody's friend. He's my friend.

[@BenPlaysGames]

😂

[@greedyvibes9178]

15:08 That one bullet was magnificient

[@BenPlaysGames]

Just about the only decent bit of gameplay in the entire video haha.

[@djbis]

Couldn't agree more with your very academic review of the level (and game). After finishing the campaign for the first time and having done so with the purpose of (mostly) getting to the end successfully a few months ago, last week I decided to start over, but this time to enjoy its mechanics, graphic beauty, animations and challenges. I was in awe (even more than the first time I completed the game) at how great of a game this truly is! I am particularly fond of the relationship that develops naturally between BT and Cooper and some of the commentary that you can choose to have. It's not only graphically extraordinary but also very well written. I feel like I should try playing it a third time now. haha. Thank you for your review.

[@BenPlaysGames]

No problem again DJ mate! And yeh, it's a super replayable campaigb, so much excitement in a game you can finish in an afternoon. Perfect!